THE FINAL CONFLICT IS ABOUT TO BEGIN….

The Forbidden Borders form a seemingly unassailable gravity-powered barrier, cutting humankind off from the wider universe, confining rival empires to a few star systems, and leaving them to strive endlessly against one another for total control.

But now the weakest have fallen, now only two mighty empires remain, and now each must once again turn to the man both fear almost more than they fear each other, the man each is determined to hire - or failing that, to assassinate - Staffa kar Therma, Lord Commander of the Companions.

Trained to be the ultimate killing machine, the penultimate general, Staffa has led his crack Companion mercenary troops to victory time and again. Throughout the human worlds, the Lord Commander is cursed as the Star Butcher, bringer of death and destruction. And never before has he turned back from undertaking a new contract. But along with his most recent victory has come a discovery which will have repercussions throughout all the star systems within the Forbidden Borders. For Staffa has learned that the son stolen from him in infancy may still be alive, and nothing will stand between Staffa and the search for his son - even though his quest may well lead to his own destruction….

"THE LORD COMMANDER HAS NO SECRETS…."

Seddi Magister Hyde paused to collect his thoughts and then continued, "Money and status drive Staffa kar Therma. So does power. A simple - if brilliant - man. Both the Sassan and Regan Empires know the game is almost up. He who seduces Lord Commander Staffa kar Therma with the greatest number of baubles and promises gets the whole of Free Space. He who misses the opportunity is lost. And Rega, for all its faults, will at least appeal to Staffa's mutated sense of respect."

Magister Bruen objected, "You claim Rega has more to offer the Lord Commander than Sassa does. I concur; but consider this permutation. In the end, Staffa will have only one power to deal with. I don't think he'll be happy playing policeman for either empire. His people can't take that drudgery. Staffa knows that."

"So?"

"So Staffa will prey on the winner…."